The Nottingham Forest XI O’Neill must field to earn 3 points against Ipswich

Nottingham Forest’s play-off hunt was dented last time out after defeat to Aston Villa.

This weekend sees them travel to Portman Road to take on rock-bottom Ipswich Town looking to get their top-six hopes back on track.

Martin O’Neill will be looking to field a team that can make it past the challenge of Paul Lambert’s men who still have not given up hope of pulling off a miraculous escape from the clutches of the bottom three.

A response is needed after a humbling defeat to Villa on Wednesday evening despite taking an early lead.

The defeat left Forest in tenth in the table, three points off the play-off places.

If the tricky Trees want to earn three points this weekend, then this is the XI O’Neill must field in order to do so.

GK: Costel Pantilimon

A firm member of the starting XI, there will be another start for the goalkeeper this weekend.

RB: Tendayi Darikwa

With Sam Byram nearing fitness, now is the time for Darikwa to nail down the right-back spot further.

CB: Yohan Benalouane

Impressive since his arrival on-loan from Leicester he will certainly start once more.

CB: Alexander Milosevic

Will be disappointed with defeat last time out but this weekend provides the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways.

LB: Ben Osborn

Osborn should receive the nod once more to start at left-back

RCM: Pele

Impressive in the win over Hull but taken off in the defeat to Villa – a start should be on the cards again this weekend.

CM: Jack Colback

Playing on the left of a three in the middle, Colback should move back into the middle for the trip to Portman Road.

LCM: Ryan Yates

Yates too was in a wider role but expect him to switch to the left of a three against Ipswich this weekend.

RF: Joao Carvalho

The Portuguese attacker should line up in the right of a front three as opposed to a role behind a lone striker last time out.

ST: Leo Bonatini

Should come into the side ahead of Karim Ansarifard who failed to impress in the defeat to Villa.

LF: Joe Lolley

Same as Carvalho, a wider role in a front three will be his role instead of a left-sided attacking midfielder last time out.